Rochester gives final salute to retiring captain

Saturday

Jun 29, 2013 at 3:15 AMJun 29, 2013 at 7:04 AM

By Liz Markhlevskayalmark@fosters.com

ROCHESTER — Members and friends of the Police Department lined up in front of the police station Friday afternoon to give a final salute to Capt. Tony Triano, who is retiring after 24 years of service with Rochester police.

After a relaxing last day of work on Friday, Triano is leaving this morning for South Carolina, where he and his wife will make a new home. After shaking hands with his colleagues, Triano said Friday his new home will be open to any city officers who might be venturing down south.

“It's been a pleasure, and I love you all,” said Triano at the end of Friday's ceremony.

Taking over Triano's position will be Gary Boudreau, who was recently promoted from lieutenant to the rank of captain.

“I feel I'm leaving things in great hands with him,” said Triano about Boudreau. “It's a great city to work for.”

Triano said what kept him with the city's Police Department for more than two decades are the residents of Rochester, and opportunities for advancement in the department.

After being hired to the Police Department in 1989, Triano served 10 years as a patrol officer. In that position, he served as a field training officer, a DARE instructor, and as a HUD housing officer. He was then promoted to the rank of sergeant in 2004, before being promoted to lieutenant in 2008 and to captain in 2011.

Reflecting on the past 24 years, Triano said that being a housing officer for five years was his favorite position, as he got to interact with citizens one-on-one, as well as work with the city's youths. Triano was Rochester's first full-time housing officer.

Triano also helped start the Rochester Youth Save Haven, which he said was “very rewarding.”

Police Chief Michael Allen described Triano as a loyal, hard-working member of the Police Department.

“I'm sorry to see him go,” said Allen. “He gave his heart and soul to the city of Rochester ... He set the bar very high for his replacement to live up to.”